Fire safety the hot topic of conversation during station visit7 February 2025 (by admin) |
Fire safety and the daily responsibilities of firefighters were among the hot topics of conversation for a group of students during a recent visit to Withernsea Fire Station.
The experience provided the members of the school’s Enhanced Resource Provision (ERP) with an opportunity to tour their local fire station, where they were given a behind-the-scenes look at the work of firefighters who demonstrated how they prepare for emergencies and showcased the different types of equipment they use.
The station’s crew led an interactive session on fire safety, teaching students how to prevent fires at home and informing them what do in the event of an emergency – with particular focus given to the importance of home smoke alarms and fire escape plans.
The visit was organised by head of additional provision, John Blades, who said: “I would like to thank the team at Withernsea Fire Station, in particular crew manager, Carl Frith, for giving up their time to accommodate our students. The visit was not only educational but also an inspiring experience for our young people – some of whom may now even consider becoming future firefighters.”
The visit ended with a question-and-answer session where the students asked a variety of questions about firefighting, emergency rescues and the challenges of the job.
Crew manager, Carl Frith, said: "On behalf of everyone at Withernsea Fire Station, I would like to extend a big thank you to the students of Withernsea High School's ERP for taking the time to visit us. It was a pleasure to welcome them and share an insight into the work that we do. The students showed real enthusiasm, asked some excellent questions and displayed brilliant behaviour throughout the visit. Their interest and engagement made the experience enjoyable for us as well, and we hope they found it both educational and fun."
The school’s ERP is a dedicated provision for students who can often struggle with mainstream learning. It caters for full-time learners with Social and Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) needs – a type of Special Educational Need where a child can have difficulties in managing their emotions or behaviour, causing them to feel scared, anxious or misunderstood.
Students are supported through individual EHCP (Education Health and Care) Plans which describe their needs, the support they require, and the outcomes they would like to achieve. Crucially, the support of this process within the ERP base means that students are able to continue their education in a mainstream school, with a view of eventual reintegration back into regular classroom settings.
John Blades added: “We offer a bespoke curriculum, differentiated to the needs of each individual learner, with the aim of helping them regain access to main school lessons to learn alongside their peers. To help prepare them for this, a number of students currently enjoy a package of hybrid learning which sees them split their time between the ERP unit and mainstream lessons.
“We are delighted with the impact that we’ve made so far. There is positive engagement in classes and strong attendance - with students really starting to thrive. They are demonstrating a real sense of belonging, with a purposeful presence in lessons.
“Key to this success is a positive relationship with parents/carers which is crucial for all involved. We are delighted to hold half-termly engagement events which are well-attended and allow us to welcome parents/carers into school, both to celebrate the successes of their children, and to showcase the excellent work that is being done by our dedicated staff.”
ABOVE: Students from the ERP enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at Withernsea Fire Station on Thursday, 30th January.
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